denial

1[countable]denial (of something/that…)a statement that says something is not true or does not existthe prisoner's repeated denials of the charges against himThe terrorists issued a denial of responsibility for the attack.

2[countable,uncountable](a) denial of somethinga refusal to allow someone to have something they have a right to expectthe denial of basic human rightsThe advertising ban is a denial of freedom of speech.

3[uncountable](psychology)a refusal to accept that something unpleasant or painful is trueThe patient is still in denial.